Artificial body member



Jan. 10, 1933.

A. H. OWEN ARTIFICIAL BODY MEMBER Filed July 17, 1931 Patented Jan. 10,193-3;

ARTHUR H. OWEN, OF IHOIBEELY, MISSOURI ARTIFICIAL BQDY MEMBERApplication filed July 17,

My invention relates to artificial body members and has particularreference to an artificial hand portion which comprises mainly a seriesof finger elements.

The hand portion constructed according to my invention is particularlyadapted to be secured to the hand of a person to replace a handextremity that has been severed along a line transversely through themetacarpal bones and adjacent the outer ends thereof.

I provide, in my novel combination, an artificial thumb portion adaptedto replace a thumb portion which has been severed at a point between thetwo joints thereof.

The main object of my invention is to provide an artificial hand portioncomprising a rigid finger portion having means for attachment to thehand of the user.

Another object is to pr vide an artificial 2o thumb portion having meansfor attachment to a thumb stub including means for attachment to themain finger portion.

Another object is to pr vide a novel socket member in an artificial handportion having adjustable means for firmly securing the portion of thewrist of a user.

Another object is to provide a hand member having a maximum of strengthand a minimum of weight.

A further object is to provide a hand member that and arranged as toafiord to the user the ability to perform many acts and tasks usuallydone by means of a normal hand.

Other objects will appear from the detailed description which followswhen considered with the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 shows afront or palm view;

2 shows a rear view;

Fig. 3 is a side view, partly cut away to show details; and

Fig. A is a view in cross-section of my improved artificial member.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the 45 hand member comprises threemain elements,

a finger portion 1, a thumb portion 2 and a palm socket member 3. Thefinger portion 1 is formed as an aluminum casting to reduce weight andthe four finger members are 50 rigidly connected to a short base portionA has the elements thereof so shaped 1931. Serial No. 551,512.

which is hollowed out as at 5 to provide a socket which terminates inreduced edge portions 6. The fingers may be made hollow, as shown bydotted lines, near their enlarged inner ends to reduce weight. One sideof the casting is extended inwardly asat- 7 for a purpose to bedescribed. Each finger member is formed with a permanent bend tofacilitate use of the hand. v

The palm socket member 3 is formed preferably of leather and is attachedto the por tion 1 by means of a series of rivets 8 which are passedthrough the reduced edge portions The inner, open, free end of thesocket 3 is reduced in width and is provided with a wrist strap 9 whichis sewed at one end to the socket member and which isadapted toadjustablyengage a buckle 10 attached to the opposite side of the socket3. A leather tab 11 is sewed to the edge of the socket 3 in position tounderlie the strap 9 to prevent cutting of the wrist of the user by thestrap 9.

A tension brace or strap 12 is riveted at 13 to the portion 1 andadjustably engages a buckle 14 which is attached to a short tab 15 sewedto the inner or wrist edge of the socket member 3. v By taking up thestrap 12, the finger portion 1 may be pulled tightly inwardly towardsthe wrist strap 9 and any undue strain or pull outwardly on the bentfinger elements is transmitted directly to the wrist strap 9.

A soft'fibre padding or stufiing 16 is pro vided in the hollow 5 and asoft lining 17 of chamois or the like is arranged on the inner surfaceof the leather socket portion 3 and attached thereto by stitches alongthe edge of the socket.

The thumb member 2 is attached to the tab 11 preferably by means of anelectric strap 18. The thumb member 2 comprises an outer portion 19formed from cork or similar light material. The portion 19 is attachedto a socket formed from leather which, in turn, is attached to an end ofthe strap 18. The 95 elastic strap or tape 18 is effective to yieldablyretain the thumb member in place upon the stub thumb of the user and, atthe same time. allow for movement of the member relative to the fingerportion 1.

contemplated such as may fall Within the w 125 flexible palm portionshaped to receive the 9 In the operation and use of my device, theyieldingly connecting said thumb member to stub end of the hand of theuser is inserted Said P m p r i n djacent to the free end Within thesocket member 3 and the stub theFeOfthumb is inserted Within the thumbsocket 20. II1 testlmony whereof I affiX my gn re- 5 The strap 9 is thenbuckled and pulled tight- ARTHUR OVVEN- 70 1y around the Wrist of theuser. The curved or hook shaped finger elements are adapted to engageobjects to be handled and any load or strain applied to the fingerelements is 10 transmitted directly to a point adjacent the 75 Wrist ofthe user. The thumb portion 2 is eliective to engage objects and holdthem a 'ainst the finger elements It has been fdund that a pencil or penmay be retained in this manner and manipulated in Writing 0 withfacility.

Vhile I have shown and described a preferred form of my invention forthe purpose of its illustration. modifications thereof are scope of theclaims which follow.

hat I claim is:

1. An artificial hand comprising a base portion having integral fingerelements, a

stub palm of a user, said palm portion being connected to the baseportion to form an eX- .tension thereof, an adjustable tension member.said member being connected at one end to said base portion and at itsopposite end to said palm portion.

2. An artificial hand comprising integrally connected finger elements, asocket member connected to said finger elements and adapted to receivethe stub palm of a user, an adjustable strap connected to the free endof said socket member for securing said member to the wrist of a user. aflexible and adjust-able tension member, said member being connected tothe finger elements at one end and at its w opposite end to the socketmember adjacent said ad ustable strap.

3. An artificial hand comprising a base portion having integral fingerelements, a flexible palm portion shaped to receive the I stub palm of auser, said palm portion being connected to the base portion to form anextension thereof, an adjustable tension mem- 5 her, said member beingconnected at one end 115 to said base portion and at its opposite endadjacent to the free end of said palm portion, a thumb member and meansfor yieldably connecting said thumb member to said palm portion.

l. An artificial hand comprising a base portion having integral fingerelements. a flexible palm portion shaped to receive the stub palm of auser, said palm portion being connected to the base portion to form anex- 125 tension thereof, an adjustable tension memher, said member beingconnected at one end to said base portion and at its opposite endadjacent to the free end of said palm portion, a thumb member andelastic means for 130

